Operation Rotten Eggs results in 35 drug arrrests in Citrus County
Citrus County, Florida - During April 13 and 14, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) conducted a covert operation, Operation Rotten Eggs, named in honor of the upcoming Easter holiday and described by the agency as a "Search for the rotten eggs that have been involved in the sale and distribution of illicit narcotics in Citrus County."
During the operation, the CCSO was assisted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Homeland Security) Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Operation Rotten Eggs resulted in the arrest thirty-five people within Citrus County on various narcotics-related charges. The following arrests were made during Operation Rotten Eggs (name, age and charge or charges):
• Kenneth Anderson, 34, trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Clinton Czerwinski, 39, trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Marydolores Arza, 51, trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Richard Harkleroad, 51, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); he was also arrested in Dec. 2021 during a previous operation, Deck the Cells
• Robert Gilbert, 51, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and alprazolam)
• Broderick Houston, 32, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• John Stevens, 48, sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone)
• Kerri O'Brien, 41, sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and failure to appear in court in reference to violation of probation
• Vanessa Wall, 43, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• David R. Swanson, 58, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Angela Taylor, 47, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Timothy Trehuba, 43, sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Alexander Lamb, 25, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Nichole Mandat, 34, sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl); she was also arrested in Dec. 2021 during a previous operation, Deck the Cells
• Danny Green, 39, sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Tabitha Morgan, 25, sale of a controlled substance (heroin)
• Richard Knowles, 26, sale of a controlled substance (heroin)
• Lawrence Roddenberry, 46, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Amanda McElmurray, 30, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Zackary Stanfield, 29, two counts of sale of a counterfeit substance
• Brian Chambers, 21, sale of a controlled substance (oxycodone)
• Vincent Armstrong, 30, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (alprazolam)
• Jose Alamo, 28, sale of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl), conspiracy to sell a controlled substance, and petit theft
• Jason Gordon, 38, two counts of sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl and methamphetamine)
• Amanda Funk, 37, two counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and fentanyl)
• Brandon Bigel, 36, possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Jennifer Uncapher, 50, two counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and fentanyl)
• Michael Mehringer, 36, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Dean Dumont, 23, violation of probation
• Corey Ross, 31, sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl); he was also arrested in Dec. 2021 during a previous operation, Deck the Cells
• Courtney Bissonette, 32, two counts possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and fentanyl)
• Jeff Lipovetsky, 35, possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone)
• Joseph Kennedy, 42, violation of probation in reference to an original charge of possession of a controlled substance
• Craig Richmond, 37, violation of probation in reference to possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license suspended or revoked, and failure to appear in court for possession of a controlled substance
• Tracy Higgins, 51, violation of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia
"Since being elected Sheriff, I have upheld my promise to combat the illicit drugs in Citrus County after witnessing the damaging effects drugs have on our community, especially our youth," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, "Contrary to what many believe, drug use is not a victimless crime - everyone's safety is at stake. Drug users steal to pay for their addictions; their dependence tarnishes relationships with loved ones, and can even result in their death by means of overdose. Today, our agency made additional progress in our resilient efforts to combat this crippling epidemic and secure the future for the betterment of our community."
If you know of anyone who may be dealing in illegal narcotics or struggling with addiction, please call the CCSO's non-emergency line at 352-249-2790, to report the criminal activity or to seek assistence from a member of the Behavioral Health Unit.
Click here for a brief CCSO video of some of the arrests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BtZ57Jwj68.